New free training to get WA Skills Ready!

A comprehensive $57 million package for the training sector that will deliver 15 free short courses and slash course fees or thousands of Western Australians has been unveiled.

In an expansion of the Lower fees, local skills initiative that rolled out before COVID-19,  course fees for a further 39 high priority courses will be slashed by as much as 72 per cent. The expanded program now includes 73 courses in total and will ensure Western Australians can access affordable training to help them get back into jobs. The heavily reduced fees have been targeted to align with the State’s immediate economic needs following COVID-19.

What's new

Free* infection control and job ready skill sets

The package includes $25 million for free short courses that have been developed in consultation with industry to engage displaced workers, including young people, and meet immediate and emerging skill requirements as the economy recovers. These free skill sets will provide a launch-pad for students to get skills ready for new jobs, and provide pathways to full qualifications.

The initial list of 15 short courses will be available to around 13,500 Western Australians and includes free infection control skill sets, and courses in hospitality, logistics, cyber security, agriculture, civil construction and small business. Many of the short courses have built-in foundation digital skills and literacy and numeracy training. The free short courses can also be used as a credit towards a full qualification from the expanded Lower fees, local skills initiative.

More Lower fees, local skills qualifications

• The program now also includes 27 Certificate-level qualifications that will have course fees reduced from between 50 and 67 per cent for areas such as plumbing, agriculture, METRONET courses, construction, electrical trades, health services, fabrication, mental health and disability services.
   
• Six diploma courses – including Diploma of Nursing, Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care and Diploma of Community Services— will have course fees reduced by 72 per cent.
   
• Six pre-apprenticeship courses will have course fees cut by 67 per cent. These courses, in areas including automotive electrical technology, engineering, plumbing and, building and construction, will prepare students for apprenticeships in industries where there will be demand for skilled workers.
   
• From second semester, the maximum  course fees students will pay for Lower fees, local skills qualifications will be capped at $400 for concession students and youth and $1,200 for non-concession students.

For more information on the free training and new Lower fees, local skills qualifications visit jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready

For free advice, information and support about training, please contact your local Jobs and Skills Centre on 13 64 64.

Enrolments open on Monday 6 July 2020.

*Please note: Some of the free courses have eligibility requirements. Please go to jobsandskills.wa.gov.au/skillsready for full details.